Tenpins



A. A. HARRIS Nov. 27, 1956 TENPINS Filed March 7, 1952 /&

INVENTOR MW v ATTORNEY! ThiSfinvention relates to'bowling games and more partic'ularlyto"new "and improved equipment for' usefin the 'game' generallyknown' as "tenpins, as well as, analogous gamesknownasduckpins candlepins, and theljlike.

The;general object of the invention is the provision 'of inexpensive, light-weight equipment including both-pins and ball, for use in playing tenpins or the like on surfaces other than standard bowling alleys. One advantage of the invention is that it permits the game to be played by children and older persons who, for one reason or another, are unable to use the heavy standard bowling balls.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide tenpins of a light weight, inexpensive construction and comprising generally a cage-like structure consisting of a base, top portion, and a series of angularly spaced generally vertical ribs or members connecting the top and base portion, the said ribs preferably being connected and braced by an annular member at a point intermediate the base and top portions of the pin. Such construction not only enables the pin to be extremely light in weight, but permits free passage of air through the pin, whereby the same may be used under windy conditions, notwithstanding their light weight.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows, read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, of a pin constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of a modified form of pin constructed according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a section on line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a view of a bowling ball for use with pins constructed according to the invention.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to the drawings, the tenpin illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical top portion 10, annular base portion 11 and a plurality of angularly spaced generally vertical members or ribs 12 permanently secured to and connecting the top and base portions. Preferably, the ribs 12 are strengthened and their angular spacing maintained by means of an annular brace 13 secured interiorly of the ribs or vertical members at a point intermediate the base 11 and top portion it The ribs or vertical members 12 may be of any suitable number in excess of four, but are preferably at least eight in number, as shown, and a larger number of ribs, spaced more closely, may be used.

Preferably, the top portion 10, base 11, and brace United Statesv Patent- O Z ,7 72 ,091 Patented, Nov; 27,3956

ice

- 13 are made of wood, :and -ribsr12 may-be'of-.-bamb.oo,

wood, reed, tubing or any similar and suitable,zmaterial which is relativelyincxpensive, :lightin weight, and-relatively tough. The ribs are permanently secured atowthe several members 10, 11 and 13 by means'ofunails, ad-

hesive, or in any suitable manner.

The base portion 11 may be either annular,=as.shown, or a solid disc, or cup-like. The vertical members or ribs '12are outwardly bowed so that the tenpinof'the present invention conforms: generally to the outline 10f a conventional tenpin, thus permitting the, pins. torreact normally to contact withthe :bowling ball 'oranother pin.

The modification illustrated-in Figures 3 ;-.and"4 is formed of moldable, plastic ,and comprises; generally" a top portion-15,- base .portion.16,---ribs or 'verticalamemhers 17, .and an-intermediate brace :18. Conveniently, the pin of Figures 3 .and -4' may be .moldedin two identical. halves which are,:then permanentlyjoined to-form a complete, integral structure. The hollow top-portion e15maybe provided with spacedapertures 19-togdecr ease the weight and also to permit free passage offiairytherethrough. The several members comprising each half of the pin are, of course, molded as an integral structure. As in the case of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the base portion 16 of the second embodiment may be sol-id, annular, or cupped. If desired, the entire pin may be made similar to the top portion 15, i. e. provided with spaced apertures, instead of consisting of spaced vertical members connecting top, intermediate and base portions.

A bowling ball of any suitable material and of the conventional size, or a size proportional to the size of the pins, may be used with tenpins constructed according to the invention. A suitable ball is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,035,975, and is illustrated in Figure 5. Preferably, the ball 2i) is fabricated of yieldable elastic material, such as vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber, and is provided with finger holes 23. As previously stated, the size and weight of the ball should be so proportioned to the size and weight of the pins with which it is used, that the ratio of size and weight of the ball to size and weight of the pins will be substantially equal to that of conventional equipment. For example the pins of the present invention may weigh about six ounces each as compared with wooden pins weighing about three pounds each, and the ball used with such pins may weigh from twenty-four to thirty ounces as compared with the average conventional ball weighing between twelve and fifteen pounds. The ball may be firmly grasped and delivered to the alley with the requisite speed, with full control, but with an expenditure of physical strength far less than that required for bowling the heavy conventional bowling ball. The eifect of the ball on the pins, and the effect of the pins on each other will be very similar to that of the conventional equipment.

Among other advantages possessed by equipment constructed according to the invention, the game can be played upon an alley of concrete, asphalt, clay, compacted earth, turf, or wood, or in fact any firm, level, and reasonably smooth surface. The ball, being re silient, will compensate for a substantial degree of unevenness of the playing surface, without substantial deviation from its course. Moreover, the game may be played outdoors since weather conditions are not injurious to alleys made of concrete, asphalt and the like, and neither ball nor pins will be injured by dampness. The ball will not be injured by friction against the rough surface of an outdoor alley.

The cost of an alley for use with the light-weight equipment of the present invention is very inconsiderable, as

compared with the cost of a conventional bowling alley.

With the present equipment, the game can be played with results very similar to the standard game, and may be played by persons of all ages and both sexes, since the equipment is of such light weight. Also, there is f notdanger of injury to the players or pin boys, and the I to said neck portion, said body portionhaving a flat base, and :at least an appreciable section of said body portion along the length thereof being of openwork conlstruction around the entire periphery of said body portion, and tenpin having a total weight not greater than approximately one-fourth that of a conventional tenpin.

2. The tenpin of claim 1 wherein said neck and body portions are of circular cross-section.

3. A tenpin according to claim 1, said tenpin being formed of two sections permanently joined together, each said section being integrally formed of molded plastic material.

4. The tenpin of claim 1 wherein said openwork section consists of angularly disposed vertical members and a circular bracing member connecting said vertical portions intermediate their length and extending transversely thereof.

5. A tenpin according to claim 4 wherein said vertical members extend between said neck portion and the remainder of said bodyportion, said neck and'body port-ions being formed of wood, and said vertical members being of tough, resilient material, of small cross-section, and securely fastened at their ends to said neck and body portions respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hartley v Apr. 30, 1940 

